SEATTLE — A 12-year-old boy and 13-year-old boy were arrested and charged after allegedly stealing a car from a driver at gunpoint, then leading Seattle police on a chase Tuesday, Feb. 13.
Police officers were in the area of Aurora Avenue North and North 88th Street near the Greenwood neighborhood for reports of two boys walking around with a handgun when they were sent to a nearby carjacking.
A woman said she had just arrived home near North 85th Street and Aurora Avenue North when she was approached by the suspects who tapped on her windows, pointed a gun at her and told her to get out.
One of the suspects fired a shot into the air, she told police - a shell casing was later found at the scene.
The two boys drove off in her Subaru Outback.
Officers were sent to the 12200 block of Phinney Avenue North in the Bitter Lake neighborhood around 9:30 p.m. after a man reported an attempted carjacking at gunpoint.
Richard Galliher, the man who the boys attempted to carjack, said the teens tried to take his car too an hour after the first time, but were unsuccessful.
“He's tapping his pistol on the window, asking for the car. I realized that there's also another person on the driver's side of the car with a pistol,” said Galliher, who added that he held his ground. He said the suspects gave him an upset look after he didn't hand over any belongings and they fired a gunshot into the air.
Galliher said he was shocked to learn the young suspects' ages.
“Where's mom and dad? How to how to people get raised like this to think it's acceptable. It would be great if there was some sort of accountability for the parents,” Galliher said.
“I'm glad that I'm OK. I'm sort of shocked that I'm OK. I thought I was going to get shot,” Galliher said.
Shortly after, Seattle police located the Subaru near North 125th Street and Aurora Avenue North. A pursuit was authorized and the King County Sheriff's Office support helicopter assisted.
Police officers tried to stop the suspects near Wallingford Avenue North and North 82nd Street, but they fled on state Route 99.
The pursuit ended at Seventh Avenue North and Thomas Street.
The boys tried to run and tossed guns during a foot pursuit, according to Seattle police. They were arrested and both guns were found.
Casey McNerthney with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, said it's unusual to see kids this young be accused of crimes like this. Both of the boys now face serious criminal charges.
“It's unusual to see crimes like this as the first referral. We've never seen these kids before. It doesn't matter if it's the first time or the second time or third time. If you are accused of crimes like this, you've got to be charged right away if there's evidence to do so,” McNerthney said.
In recent weeks, multiple juveniles have been before a King County judge for high profile and equally serious charges. McNerthney said the prosecutor's office is seeing similar numbers of juvenile crimes to what was recorded un 2018 and 2019, before numbers dipped during the pandemic.
For parents to be held responsible in crimes like this prosecutors said under state law, there must be evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that a parent was involved in the crime, such as an accomplice or encouraged the child to commit the crime. In the case of the 12-and-13-year-old, there is not any evidence from police to suggest that.
“We’re also confident that Seattle police investigators are asking the same questions that people in the public are asking. If we receive additional information, we will act on it with the same urgency,” McNerthney said.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office charged the 12-year-old with first-degree robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, first-degree attempted robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree due to his age.
The 13-year-old was charged with first-degree robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, attempting to elude police, first-degree attempted robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm due to his age.
The two will be arraigned Feb. 20 at the Clark Child and Family Justice Center in Seattle.